Do you feel you can no longer keep your dog and want to find a new home for him or her? Perhaps you are frustrated with a behaviour problem. Or your child has allergies. Or you are having trouble finding housing that accepts your dog. If you dread the thought of parting with your dog please Click Here for solutions to common reasons dogs end up needing new homes. If you have decided you need to rehome your dog please feel free to Contact Us if we can help we will.
Many pet-related problems can be frustrating, and you may feel that relinquishing your dog is the only solution. But before you take that drastic step, be aware of the wealth of resources available to help dog owners such as yourself deal with problems that can seem overwhelming. If you are dealing with a pet behavior problem, consider first consulting with your Vet. Many problems may be due to a treatable medical condition. For example, a house-trained dog may begin urinating in the house due to a urinary tract infection rather than a behaviour problem. Your Vet will be able to rule out any physical cause of the problem and then refer you to an animal behaviourist or trainer in your area who has the experience and expertise to help address your dog's current behaviour problem.
If you ultimately decide that you cannot keep your dog, your best resource is your local reputable Rescue. Be sure to find out as much as you can about the rescue, and always carefully screen a 'breed rescue' organisation before relinquishing your dog. You should make sure the current animal residents appear well-cared-for, that the Rescue screens potential adopters, has their dogs veterinary checked and neutered before being rehomed, and that the Rescue offers post-adoption support services. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
If you decide to try to find a new home for your dog yourself, rather than relying upon a rescue, be sure the animal's best interests remain your top priority. Finding a new home for a dog can be difficult. A 'good' home means a home where the animal will live for the rest of his or her life, where he or she will receive attention, veterinary care, proper nutrition, and be treated as part of the family.
If you choose to find a home for your dog yourself, follow these guidelines:
- Advertise through friends, neighbours, and local Vets first. Your chances of finding a good home are increased when you check references with someone you know. Be very careful if advertising through free adds you'd be far better advertising the on a reputable dog rescue website like Dog Pages
- Visit the prospective new home in order to get a feel for the environment in which your pet will be living. Explain that the dog is part of your family and that you want to make sure s/he will be cared for properly and that you want to see how the dog responds to the new home. Screen potential homes carefully.
- Don't be fooled. If anyone refuses to allow you to visit their home, do not place your dog with them. Dogfighters have also been known to obtain pet dogs for baiting through "free to good home" ads. Individuals known as Dog Dealers routinely answer "free-to-good-home" ads, posing as people who want family pets when, in actuality, they sell the dogs on to anyone who is willing to pay the asking price. These people are professionals, they may even bring children or their mothers with them when picking up dogs.
- Always be mindful of your own safety when you go to interview potential adopters or if you allow a prospective adopter to enter your home.
- Carefully consider all the elements of the new home: Will your dog get along with small children? Is the family planning to keep the dog outside as a watch dog? Can the family supply you with a veterinary reference? Do not be shy about asking questions. Your dog's life and happiness may depend on it.
- Ask for a valid form of identification (preferably a driver's license). Record the number for your records and require the new owner to sign a contract stating the requirements of adoption upon which both parties agree. As part of the contract, require the new owner to contact you if he or she decides at some point that they must give up the dog.
- Have your dog neutered before he or she goes to the new home. Not only will make the dog more adoptable, most of all it will prevent irresponsible breeding or worse your dog ending up in a puppy farm.
Finding a quality home for your dog can be a difficult and time-consuming process. Remember: Your local reputable rescue has a qualified staff trained to screen and counsel adopters. Relinquishing your dog to a Rescue may be the best option for you and your dog.
